Florida National Guardsman Sentenced To More Than 24 Years For Attempting To Entice A Minor For Sex

Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced John David Stahlman (35, Longwood) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for attempting to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. A federal jury found him guilty on May 24, 2017.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on November 10, 2016, Stahlman posted an advertisement on Craigslist seeking a “young ‘looking’ girl” for possible “physical pleasure.” An FBI agent acting in an undercover capacity responded to the advertisement and introduced himself as the single father of an 11-year-old child. During a two-and-a-half-month period, Stahlman made plans to meet and have sex with the “child,” and he eventually traveled to meet with the minor. Stahlman was subsequently arrested.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alejandro J. Salicrup and Karen Gable.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.